Manhattan Rain speed-machine Jigsaw will head for a winter spell after another dominant front-running victory in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on Saturday.
It was the fifth win from six starts in a season that has seen him rated the most improved sprinter in Victoria. He was sent out the popular $2.45 favourite to score by two lengths under Daniel Moor.
Jigsaw (4g Manhattan Rain – Demandz by Lonhro) kicked off with a course-record in the Apache Cat Classic (1000m) at Cranbourne in November and followed up with on-pace victories in the LR Doveton Stakes at Caulfield, LR Christmas Stakes at Sandown and G2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
“It’s a tough climb uphill here and he also had a big weight (60kg) on his back,” trainer Cindy Alderson said. “He will have two or three months off and then we will see where he fits in during the spring carnival.”
Jigsaw (pictured) was taken on by Turk Warrior (Outreach) before the Tasmanian raider was burnt off at the top of the straight. Local sprinter The Inferno (Holy Roman Emperor) did best the beaten division from last year’s Hareeba winner Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt).
His only loss this term was in the G1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last month. Stewards reported Jigsaw was checked in the straight, however, Moor wasn’t making any excuses.
“He was under a lot of pressure and wasn’t able to get a rest. He was brave and tried hard but there’s nowhere to hide in a Group 1.”
Jigsaw will return in 2023-24 just $30,000 shy of joining G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner She Will Reign as the next millionaire by Manhattan Rain. The Geisel Park resident is the sire of 30 Stakes performers and his black-type strike-rate to individual winners is a very creditable 14%.
Manhattan Rain’s off-shore Stakes winners include Manhattan Street (NZ), Excelling (Singapore) and Whiskey Baron (South Africa). He joined the Geisel Park roster this time last year just a couple of months after Man Crush won the RL Magic Millions 3YO Trophy at Pinjarra.
Hong Kong is another successful jurisdiction for the Manhattan Rains. His latest winner Happy Golf is on a hat-trick for trainer Frankie Lor and jockey Hugh Bowman after landing the Plantation Hcp (1200m) at Sha Tin on Easter Sunday.
Melbourne Stakes-winning sprinter Aysar (Deep Field) will join Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) and All American (Red Ransom) on the Geisel Pak roster this year.
